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Cats on Norfolk Island
Background
It is clear that the issue of wild/feral cats on the island is causing increasing impact on the island’s
wildlife. Many visitors and locals expressed distress at the large number of beheaded seabirds at 100
Acres and Kingston over the 2016/17 summer, while bird destruction was also reported from other
areas. Visitors are amazed at being able to observe nesting seabirds at close hand and a number
return year after year to experience that as a part of the natural beauty of the island. Unique plant
and bird species, and a safe and peaceful environment make Norfolk Island seem Eden-like for
visitors and many locals. They may not be declared bird- or nature -lovers, but enjoy the benefits of
walking in our peaceful forests, and along our waterfront and clifftops.
For over 25 years the Cat Welfare and Wildlife Protection Association of Norfolk Island (CW&WPA of
NI ) has provided funding for cat desexing, trapping assistance for problem feral cats and
consciousness-raising publicity and encouragement for the community to encourage cats be kept in
a more responsible manner.
While acknowledging and respecting the fact that a cat might be the only family member for people
living alone, and is their only company and source of affection, it has also been stressed that cats
interacting with wildlife rarely leave the wildlife in a better position. A small number of households
have built cat runs and are keeping their cats in a responsible way, preventing impact on wildlife,
while still providing company and rodent control in their homes.
After 25 years, the CW&WPA of NI is in the process of closing down. Those we have reached are
doing a good job of protecting wildlife, and other cat owners are demonstrating that they have no
interest in protecting wildlife, and furthermore are not protecting their cat from attack by dogs, feral
cats and motor vehicle impacts. Free-roaming cats are exposed to baited rats as well, and can die
from eating a poisoned rodent.
It is time for the onus of domestic cat protection to be on the owner, clearing the way for stronger
actions to remove feral cats from the island. A cat that is a loved family member should be treated
as such.
With a range of possibilities for feral cat control now available, the time is ripe for the actions
relating to feral cats to be a proper reflection of the words spoken about our beautiful natural
assets. We have talked the talk long enough, and now need to walk the walk.
Of the 15 landbird species originally found here we now have less than half remaining. A further
endemic bird, the White-breasted White-eye, was declared ‘Presumed Extinct’ only 3 years ago. This
should not still be happening. Extinction is forever, and for ongoing extinctions to be occurring on
the island when other possibilities exist, is a blot on our plan to be The Best Small Island in the
World.
I have prepared the attached draft Options Paper for discussion and consideration by the Reserves
Advisory Committee regarding future actions to protect the island’s wildlife from ongoing predation.
Report prepared by M. Christian
CATS ON NORFOLK ISLAND
OPTION 1 Do nothing
Actions
None
Cost
Nil
Consequences ~ Positive
None
Consequences ~ Negative
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Cat numbers continue to increase;
Wildlife continues to be destroyed;
tourism in general suffers;
the island’s economy loses a strongly growing eco-tourism sector;
locals and visitors have reduced pleasure through lost experiences with close
encounters with birds, whether nesting seabirds, or forest species;
6. domestic cats continue to experience attacks from feral cats;
7. domestic cats continue to be exposed to feline AIDS, (spread by contact or
bowl sharing with feral cats, resulting in a slow death with organ failure);
8. investment by Parks Australia is compromised;
9. investment by philanthropic groups supporting the restoration of the island’s
ecology is wasted, and eventually withdrawn;
10. journalists, bloggers and other media platforms spread the word that the
Norfolk Island community doesn’t care about wildlife, lowering the ‘good
vibe’ stressed by our own tourism advertising.
11. Island residents become increasingly upset when encountering dead birds,
and realising the possibility of potential new extinctions
12. The island continues to fail in meeting its international obligations under
JAMBA (Japan Australia Migratory Birds Agreement) and CAMBA agreements
with China and Japan, to which Australia (and previously the Norfolk Island
Legislative Assembly) is a signatory.
Report prepared by M. Christian
OPTION 2 Ban cats from Norfolk Island
Actions
Legislation
Cost
Consequences ~ Positive
1. Require mandatory desexing and microchipping
2. Ban future imports
3. Create cat controller position to remove roaming cats
1.
2.
3.
4.
Administrative cost in writing legislation
One staff position /contract until ferals are removed
Owners pay for desexing and microchipping
Possible need for increased rodent control (community and
Council to meet costs in their areas of responsibility)
1. Reduced/removed cats have less, and eventually no impact
on birds
2. Bird numbers increase across the island
3. Huge potential for media to announce and monitor the
increase in wildlife and report on the even more amazing
natural experiences possible on the island = Massive free
advertising
4. Council goes some way to supporting Australia’s (and
previously Norfolk Island Assembly’s) international
obligations under JAMBA and CAMBA.
5. With clearly stated Council support there would exist an
increased likelihood of being able to engage external
stakeholders and source external funding to deliver on longterm cat management solutions.
Consequences ~ Negative
1. Cat lovers unhappy
2. Possible increase in rodents
Report prepared by M. Christian
OPTION 3 Allow continued cat ownership under controlled conditions
ACTIONS
COSTS
1. Legislate for cats to be contained within properties;
2. Appointment of animal control officer to control cats outside
private properties, and inspect secure areas;
3. All cats to be microchipped, registered and desexed;
4. Undesexed cats to be allowed only in registered breeding
facilities with very tight security, and with increased
registration cost reflecting the potential commercial business
of producing kittens;
5. every kitten accounted for, with large fines for unregistered,
uncontained animals;
6. establish animal pound, with robust records in place for
animals taken there, and meaningful fines paid by owners
before animals are released;
7. Limit number of cats at each property.
1. Administrative costs in writing legislation, including regulations,
fines etc
2. Employment/contracting of animal control /inspection officer
3. Cost of establishing and managing pound
4. Microchipping, registration and desexing costs met by owners
CONSEQUENCES ~ Positive
1. Feral cats easily identified and controlled
2. Domestic cats better cared for, and with fewer injuries and
infections
3. Bird numbers across the island increase
4. Tourists no longer horrified by scores of dead bodies in
picturesque beauty spots
5. Media opportunity to promote a further positive aspect of
the island and its ethos
6. Increase in eco-tourism
7. Cat owners can still have their pet.
8. Some costs defrayed by registration and fines.
Report prepared by M. Christian